Big, bright eyes can make you appear youthful, alert, and healthy.[1] If your eyes aren't as naturally large as you'd like them to be, don't worry! There are numerous tips and tricks you can use to get the appearance of bigger eyes, such as strategically applying makeup and making simple lifestyle changes.

Steps

Method1

Using Makeup

to Make Eyes Look Bigger

1

Don't apply eyeliner all the way around your eyes. Doing so will cause your eyes to look smaller, as they will appear fenced or ringed in by the circle line. (This also means avoiding the smoky eye look). This is not necessarily a bad thing — small eyes can still look mysterious and dramatic — but not if you're looking to make your eyes look larger.

Apply eyeliner only to the outer 3/4 of your eyelid. Avoid lining the inner corner of your eye.

When you apply eyeliner on your lower lashes, do it just below the lash line, not inside the rim.[2]

You might also want to line the inner rim of your lower lid with white or other light color. It makes eyes look noticeably bigger, but be careful, as overdoing it will look awkward.

to Make Eyes Look Bigger

2

Extend the eyeliner beyond the outer corners of your eyes. This line should move upwards a little as well, mimicking a very long eyelash. This technique will make your eyes appear wider, but can be tricky to do well. If the eyeliner isn't applied symmetrically, it can make your eyes look lopsided, so try doing this with a mirror or ask a friend to help initially.[3]

Try not to get discouraged and keep practicing. It takes some time, but if you keep trying you will be able to master this technique.

to Make Eyes Look Bigger

3

Add white eyeshadow or eyeliner to the inner corner of your eyes. This technique helps to bring more light into your eyes and produces the effect of larger-looking eyes. Use soft white though; a harsh white will look theatrical. You can also use the white liner on your lower waterline, which extends the white part of your eye.

4

Finished.

Method2

Eyebrow and Eyelash Solutions

to Make Eyes Look Bigger

1

Groom your eyebrows. In much the same way a picture frame affects the way the picture looks, your eyebrows affect the way your face looks — including your eyes. The simple act of removing stray hairs can make your eyes more noticeable; however, don't make the mistake of assuming that the thinner your eyebrows, the bigger your eyes will look.

Thick eyebrows are flattering to every shape of face and give you a fresh, youthful appearance.[4]

Stay healthy. This means getting plenty of sleep, eating a balanced, healthy diet and minimizing the intake of salt in your diet.

Some people have thinner skin under their eyes, which can cause the appearance of dark circles. Use an orange or red primer under your concealer to balance blue or purple tones.

3

Try applying cold spoons. Before you go to bed, place two spoons in the freezer overnight. Wake up, rub the sleep out of your eyes, and place the two spoons over each of your eyes for about 1 minute. This can help you appear refreshed and tighten up the skin around your eyes. Plus, it helps to reduce the appearance of under-eye circles.[5]

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Method 1 Quiz

Which of the following makeup techniques will NOT make your eyes look bigger?

Adding white eyeshadow to the inner corner of your eyes.

Nope! Adding white eyeshadow or eyeliner to the inner corner of your eyes will actually help to bring more light into your eyes and make your eyes look larger. Pick another answer!

Applying eyeliner all the way around your eyes.

Correct! Applying eyeliner all the way around your eyes will make your eyes look fenced in, causing them to look smaller. This means avoiding smoky eye makeup, too. Read on for another quiz question.

Extending your eyeliner beyond the outer corner of your eyes.

Not quite! By extending your eyeliner beyond the outer corner of your eyes, you’ll actually mimic a very long eyelash, and that helps your eyes look bigger. Choose another answer!

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Method 2 Quiz

When it comes to making your eyelashes look longer, what’s the best approach?

Leave your eyelashes alone and never apply makeup to them.

Sorry, no. When it comes to making your eyelashes look longer, mascara is your best friend. Apply two coats to maximize your lashes and give them a full, robust look. Just be careful not to overdo it! Clumpy lashes can distract from your beauty. There’s a better option out there!

Curl your upper lashes with an eyelash curler.

Correct! An eyelash curler will create a subtle upward bend in your lashes, and that helps make your lashes look longer. If you don’t have an eyelash curler, use mascara or your finger to curl your lashes in an upward motion. You can even dampen your lashes with a tiny bit of water to help move them in the right direction. Read on for another quiz question.

Apply dark eyeshadow.

Oops, that’s not right. Along with curling your lashes, applying a light colored eyeshadow like cream, beige or white can help your lashes look longer. Click on another answer to find the right one...

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Method 3 Quiz

Which of the following techniques can help reduce puffiness under your eyes?

Eating foods with plenty of sodium.

Nope! Sodium makes your body retain fluid and that means an increase in under eye puffiness. Instead, eat a balanced diet and minimize the intake of salt in your diet. Choose another answer!

Avoiding exercise so you don’t get overheated and bloated.

Not quite! Exercise increases circulation, which in turn reduces water retention and ultimately helps reduce puffiness in your eyes. There’s a better option out there!

Getting plenty of sleep.

That’s right! Staying healthy is key to reducing puffiness in your eyes, and getting plenty of sleep is part of a healthy lifestyle. Read on for another quiz question.

Placing hot teabags over your eyes.

Try again! The tannins in the tea act as a tightening agent, but you should use cold teabags instead of hot since the cold temperature can also reduce swelling. There’s a better option out there!

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Community Q&A

Camille Sanghera is a Beauty Professional in British Columbia. She founded Esvee Beauty in 2014; starting as a freelance makeup artist, and since adding eyelash extensions, microblading, nail art and hairstyling to her list of services.

Totally! Mascara lifts and curls your lashes, opening up your eye and giving the illusion of bigger eyes. Mascara also adds a layer to each eyelash, giving you voluminous lashes, which also contribute to opening up your eye.

Camille Sanghera is a Beauty Professional in British Columbia. She founded Esvee Beauty in 2014; starting as a freelance makeup artist, and since adding eyelash extensions, microblading, nail art and hairstyling to her list of services.

There are many things you can do to make your eyebrow hair look natural. You can try the numerous brow products on the market. Be sure to pick a product that allows for you to feather in each hair stroke for a natural look. There are also other options such as eyebrow extensions, which are attached to the tiny hairs you currently have on your brow. Another, more common, option is microblading, which is a form of semi-permanent tattoo where the ink is deposited in feather-like strokes creating the illusion of hair where there is none.

Never go near your eyes with a washable or permanent marker. It could result in irritation or vision loss. If you wish to give your eyes a bigger temporary appearance, place a white eye shadow or some white makeup powder an d place it in the corners of your eyes. (Not on your direct on, on the skin corners). Another way to make they appear bigger is to use liquid eyeliner or mascara.

Try using a mascara made to hold curl. You can also try heating up your eyelash curler with a blowdryer for a few seconds before curling your lashes. Just don't curl your eyelashes right after heating the eyelash curler. Make sure to wait at least a few seconds.

Tips

There are many makeup tutorials available online that show in-depth visual examples of how to make your eyes appear bigger.

Circle contacts, which are not commonly sold in stores in America, but are in some Asian countries, are contacts that give your iris the appearance of being larger. This distorts the ratio of your eye to your iris, often giving the effect of bigger looking eyes. There are many websites that will ship them out of Asia. Be aware, however, that it is not recommended you wear contacts without a prescription.

If you don't have an eyelash curler, try using spoons. Run the spoons under hot water and then run them gently against your lashes. When you have your desired curl, hold the spoon at the end to keep it in place. Add mascara and blow dry it on the warm setting to seal it for good!

Warnings

Do not just open your eyes fully because this will make you look permanently surprised.

If you do choose to open your eyes wide, make sure your nostrils do not flare as well.